Canon studying
ideas for park

CANON CITY — The City Council here on Wednesday started the process of launching future plans for the Royal Gorge park area.

“Up at the park, there are thousands of acres the city owns — not just what is right around the bridge,” said Doug Dotson, city administrator. “It is probably a very under-utilized area.”

With the help of RNL Design of Denver, the city is brainstorming ideas for a master plan in hopes of bringing a mountain resort and spa with everything from hiking trails and horseback riding to the gorge park area.

Dotson said the stagnating sales tax — which makes up a little over half of the operating budget for the city — is the reason the city wants to improve economic development and strategic planning.